Following a deflating campaign, Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks are still awaiting the hiring of a new head coach for the 2025-26 NHL season. According to reports, the organization has already made up its mind about who should succeed Anders Sorensen, and the announcement is imminent.
The Blackhawks are eager to climb out of the NHL basement and finally move into the next phase of their rebuild as they gear up for Year 3 of Bedard in the Windy City. But that evolution won’t happen overnight—and getting the head coaching hire right could be the most critical step in the process.
Sorensen is not expected to continue in his interim role behind the bench, though GM Kyle Davidson has made it clear he wishes for the Swedish coach to stay in Chicago, in some capacity. Under Sorensen, the Blackhawks showed signs of improvement, yet not enough to justify extending his tenure as head coach.
Amid a dramatic coaching carousel across the NHL—with dozens of names tossed around and linked to multiple franchises—the Blackhawks remain without a head coach, the clock ticking as they search for the right leader to guide Bedard and company toward brighter horizons.
Jeff Blashill, head coach of the United States looks on during the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Bronze Medal Game game between the United States and Canada at Royal Arena on May 20, 2018 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Former Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill has been linked to Bedard’s Blackhawks recently, and according to reports the organization in Chicago might be closing in on the official announcement.
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“With every passing day, it seems more and more likely that Jeff Blashill will be named the next head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks,” Jay Zawaski from CHGO Blackhawks stated in an article.
Almost done-deal
The Blackhawks initially aimed their cannons at Denver Pioneers head coach in the NCAA, David Carle, who led Team USA’s U-20 to consecutive gold medals during the World Juniors.
However, Carle is staying in Denver, where he signed a contract extension in hopes of adding to the school’s trophy cabinet which already boasts 10 national championships, two under Carle in 2022 and 2024.
As Carle withdrew his candidacy, the Blackhawks were left with no rock-solid option, at least in their eyes, but have now come across Blashill, who is shaping up to become the franchise’s 38th head coach. Elliotte Friedman further strenghtened the reports during his latest 32 Thoughts Podcast episode, though he left the door slightly ajar.
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“Blashill is a very serious contender in Chicago. I just can’t tell you it’s 100% his job,” Friedman said.
